Mirai was denied a spot in the Olympic and world teams because her record over the past two seasons hasn't been good, especially compared to Ashley's. But in denying her a spot for the world team, they are also hurting Mirai's chances of building up a good record for next season. It's Ashley who gets to go to world and then come to nationals again and say "See, I medaled at worlds, or came in 4th, or whatever." Mirai doesn't even get that chance.
So sorry for Mirai.
But I just love how this sad affair shows the hypocrisy of some people here.
Takahashi versus Kozuka:
Wagner versus Nagasu:
So "absolutely not a fair decision" becomes "a matter of "fairness"" hwell:
When it comes to skaters CSG lurves (eg- Chan, Cohen, Kozuka) or doesnt like (Hanyu, Kostner, Lipnitskaia) trying to get objectivity is like trying to pull Hens teeth.
And I have dozens of posts denegrating every skate Mirai ever had.
Something just struck me and I'll throw it out there:
Mirai was denied a spot in the Olympic and world teams because her record over the past two seasons hasn't been good, especially compared to Ashley's. But in denying her a spot for the world team, they are also hurting Mirai's chances of building up a good record for next season. It's Ashley who gets to go to world and then come to nationals again and say "See, I medaled at worlds, or came in 4th, or whatever." Mirai doesn't even get that chance.
Does this seem like a dismal precedence to anyone else? This year, it's Mirai. Next year, maybe Christina Gao or Agnes or whoever might get on the podium instead of Gracie or Polina. And the committee can decide they don't like it so they'll just send who they want to worlds. And then Christina or Agnes get thwarted in their efforts to keep gaining momentum.
I haven't been much of a fan of Mirai's skating the last couple of years, while I have really enjoyed Ashley. I'll admit that makes it a little easier to swallow this move, but the more I think about it then more I think "the rules" stink.
I read the new tweets from @AshWagner2010 a couple of hours ago, and found nothing wrong with them.
Going back to re-read them, I still find nothing wrong with them.
I want to say thank you 2 those who have been so supportive this week. In no way was it the skate I wanted, but u gave me a reason to smile.
5:07 PM - 15 Jan 2014
https://twitter.com/AshWagner2010/statuses/423577156367958017
So thank you, for seeing beyond this and helping push me forward to Sochi. I am ready to begin this journey, I will not let this define me.
5:10 PM - 15 Jan 2014
https://twitter.com/AshWagner2010/statuses/423577997846016000
If you have a complaint against USFS, that is a separate matter. Don't take it out on Wagner.
(I am sad for Mirai, but I don't see Wagner as a villain.)
Your personal opinion that they shouldn't have gone is not a valid reason. Either body of work should dictate, or Nationals results should dictate. The reality is, there is no way to explain a rational and consistent basis for the USFSA's actions, although some have contorted themselves into pretzels trying. The capricious decisionmaking of USFSA is most definitely bad for athletes and the sport.
In complete agreement with this post. Where will the USFSA draw the line when it comes to Mirai? If next year she were to place second at Nationals, would they deny her a spot in a world team because she hasn't been to Worlds in 4 years?? Does she have to become again a National champion so they allow her to go to Worlds?
So sorry for Mirai.
But I just love how this sad affair shows the hypocrisy of some people here.
Takahashi versus Kozuka:
Wagner versus Nagasu:
So "absolutely not a fair decision" becomes "a matter of "fairness"" hwell:
Kozuka is a world medalist who had strong results on the GP last season (including a win and appearance at the GPF), and Nagasu hasn't had even close to that last season.
Takahashi made 7 errors in his SP and FS, whereas Ashley wasn't nearly as bad in her freeskate. Ashley also had a far better GP performance this season than Takahashi.
I don't find my two statements hypocritical -- I said in both cases that it isn't fair that Kozuka and Mirai didn't get to go, based on their placements (Oda, too). However, I also acknowledge that the reasons for Takahashi going and Wagner going are rather logical. I personally found Kozuka not going to be more grievous than Nagasu not going, based on his results last season (which Mirai hadn't achieved) and based on him placing two places higher than Takahashi. And I personally find Wagner going over Nagasu a smarter, more justifiable decision than Takahashi going over Kozuka, for the reasons above and the reasons people have discussed.
This is where it gets sticky - technically, by the USFSA's own criteria, even a National champion can be denied a spot at a Worlds or Olympics based on the previous seasons' 'body of work'. It's slippery ground to be sure, but the precedent has been set at the recent Nationals.
"Body of work" seems to be something we made up, not a phrase taken from the USFSA rule book.
I agree with everything you wrote.
It seems seeing both sides of the story is becoming a rare gift these days.
When one says "I feel bad for Kozuka/Nagasu and I'd have hoped they'd sent him/her", one becomes a "die-hard über-fan" for some on this forum.
When one says "I still understand and or approve of the decision to send Takahashi/Wagner", one becomes a hater of Kozuka/Nagasu for some.
When one says both statements, you can hear the braincells of some frying, unable to compute!
I agree. You can't say you like Wagner without people assuming you hate Nagasu. You can't say that you like Sotnikova without people assuming you hate Lipnitskaia. You can't say you like Chan without people assuming you hate Hanyu. You can't say that you like Kim without people assuming you hate Asada. It's absolutely ridiculous.
I agree. You can't say you like Wagner without people assuming you hate Nagasu. You can't say that you like Sotnikova without people assuming you hate Lipnitskaia. You can't say you like Chan without people assuming you hate Hanyu. You can't say that you like Kim without people assuming you hate Asada. It's absolutely ridiculous.
try being both a fan of B/S and S/P in 2002 and after...
So sorry for Mirai.
But I just love how this sad affair shows the hypocrisy of some people here.
Takahashi versus Kozuka:
Wagner versus Nagasu:
So "absolutely not a fair decision" becomes "a matter of "fairness"" hwell:
I agree. You can't say you like Wagner without people assuming you hate Nagasu. You can't say that you like Sotnikova without people assuming you hate Lipnitskaia. You can't say you like Chan without people assuming you hate Hanyu. You can't say that you like Kim without people assuming you hate Asada. It's absolutely ridiculous.
I agree. You can't say you like Wagner without people assuming you hate Nagasu
try being both a fan of B/S and S/P in 2002 and after...